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MONARCHS SIGN FRANCISCO, WERNER, HIEBERT

MANCHESTER, NH - The Manchester Monarchs, the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, have agreed to terms on one-year contracts with forwards Jon Francisco and James Hiebert and defenseman Eric Werner, Monarchs Director of Hockey Operations Hubie McDonough announced.

Francisco, 25, appeared in one game with the Monarchs last season as he injured his knee in his first shift on the ice on January 6, 2006 versus the Providence Bruins. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound native of Hermantown, Minnesota, also played in 32 games with the ECHL's Reading Royals during the 2005-06 season. He registered 24 points (10-14=24) and 46 penalty minutes in those 32 games.

Hiebert, 24, appeared in 59 games with the Central Hockey League's Laredo Bucks during the 2005-06 season. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound native of Hay River, Northwest Territories, collected 75 points (23-52=75) and 275 penalty minutes with the Bucks last season. Hiebert spent three seasons (2003-06) with Laredo and earned 176 points (57-119=176) and 703 penalty minutes in 178 games. Prior to joining the Bucks, Hiebert was a member of the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League from 1998-2003. He played in 242 games and registered 174 points (70-104=174) and 502 penalty minutes.

Werner, 23, split time between Manchester and Reading during the 2005-06 season. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound native of Gross Pointe Woods, Michigan, played in 15 games with the Monarchs, registering seven points, all assists, and 10 penalty minutes. The defenseman appeared in 58 games with the Royals, collecting 42 points (12-30=42) and 38 penalty minutes. Werner ended his senior year at the University of Michigan with a career high 31 points (8-23=31) and 48 penalty minutes during the 2004-05 season and finished his Wolverine career with 92 points (26-66=92) and 158 penalty minutes in 144 games (2001-04).